Coca Cola has ended its involvement with the Northern Territory cash for containers scheme, following its recent, possibly temporary, court victory.
The Boomerang Alliance of 26 environment groups have urged the NT government not to be bullied by Coca Cola and stick with the popular scheme.
"Despite requests from the NT government for beverage producers to retain the scheme on a voluntary basis while the permanent exemption is obtained, Coca Cola is from today dumping its involvement in the best recycling scheme the NT could have," said Jeff Angel, convenor of the Boomerang Alliance
"Our most recent Newspoll in the NT showed 80% support for a container deposit scheme. Despite the obvious 'start-up' problems, the doubling of recycling rates over 12 months in the NT is impressive.
"As Coke dumps the scheme, millions of cans and bottles will now again be dumped in landfill, rivers and roadsides throughout the NT and small, family-run recycling businesses will become unviable and be forced to sack their staff," said Angel.
"This is corporate thuggery of the highest order and whilst it has presented complications for the Territory government, we are urging it to find solutions for the community, charity groups, small businesses and the environment. Coca Cola and its small band of supporters can't be allowed to win.
"Not all drink companies are acting in this way and we salute Fosters and Diageo as responsible corporate citizens for continuing to play a constructive role in a process that has been difficult.
"It is our understanding that all state and territory governments have agreed to grant the NT scheme a permanent exemption from the mutual recognition provisions that the judge found were incompatible with Cash for Containers. We were pleased also that Liberal, Labor and the Greens all united in the federal parliament last week to pass a motion supporting the NT," said Angel.
